Automatic tray-lifter for trunks and the like.



G. A. WELLS.

AUTOMATIC TRAY LIFTER FOR TRUNKS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1907.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

,7- awvawto'c m XWM CHARLES A. WELLS, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

AUTOMATIC TRAY-LIFTER FOR TRUNKS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

Application filed April 1, 1907. Serial No. 365,896.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. WELLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Tray- Lifters for Trunks and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in automatic tray lifters for trunks and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a device whereby by raising the trunk or other lid slowly the tray will be lifted therewith, and by raising the lid quickly the tray will not be lifted with the lid.

Reference will be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevation, somewhat exaggerated, of a trunk, parts being broken away in section and illustrating the tray in position, and the lid raised. Fig. 2, is a similar View with the lid closed, showing the position of the automatic tray lifter. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, showing the tray lifter and a fragment of the tray in front elevation. Fig. 4, is a side elevation of the automatic tray lifter and pivot member therefor, Fig. 5, is a front elevation of the tray lifter, Fig. 6, is a front elevation of the pivot member slightly enlarged, Fig. 7, is a side elevation thereof.

Reference numeral 1 designates the trunk or chest body, 2 the hinged lid thereof, and 3 the usual tray. The front portions of the tray sides are provided with a pin 4 which supports the front end of the tray by resting on the upper edge of the body 1, the lid, as illustrated in Fig. 3, being notched to accommodate the said pin.

The rear portion of the tray is supported by a hinge comprising members 5 and 6, the former being secured to the tray and the latter to the trunk body.

To the inner sides of the front portions of the trunk lid are secured pivot members 15 by means of suitable fastenings 16 passing through openings 16 therein. This pivot member consists of a metal plate bent upon itself to form the back or body portion and front arm or bearing 17. In the free end portions of this pivot member is pivoted as at 18 the automatic tray lifter 19. This tray lifter comprises a metal member which is pivoted as aforementioned approximately centrally thereof but adjacent its front edge. The front edge below the pivot 18 is notched as at 20 so as to receive the said pin 4 as illustrated in Fig. 2. Beneath this notch, the edge is inclined as at'21 and below the same is again notched as at 22, the extreme end terminating in hook 23.

The operation of the device is as follows: \Vhen the lid is lowered, the bottom inclined edge 23 of the hooked portions of each tray lifter will ride over the pins 4, so that when the lid is entirely closed, the said pins will be received in said notches 20. To lift the tray with the lid or to not lift it therewith depends upon the speed with which the lid is raised. If the trunk lid is raised. slowly, the inclined edge 21 will ride over the pin 4, but before the pin can clear the hook 23 the pivoted lifter 19 will swing back and the pin will be caught in the notch 22, and the hook -3 engaged therewith, thus as the lid is entirely raised, the tray will be lifted therewith so that access may be had with the body of the trunk.

If it is not desired to lift the tray with the lid, the trunk lid is raised quickly and as the inclined edge 21. rides over the pin 4, the lifter 19 will be swung back and before it has time to swing back so as to permit the pin 4 to enter the notch 22 to be engaged by the hook 23, the hook 23 will have cleared the pin, thus leaving the tray in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, in its normal position.

WVhat is claimed as new and useful and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with the lid and body of a trunk, of a tray hinged to the said body, a lifting device attached to the lid, an element on the tray adapted to be engaged by the lifting device to lift the tray, and means whereby said device will engage said element when the lid is lifted at one speed and will move clear of the same when the lid is lifted at another speed.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with the lid, body and tray of a trunk, of a lifting device carried by the lid. an element carried by the tray adapted to be engaged by said device to lift the tray, said device being formed so as to swing clear of said element when the lid is raised at one speed and to engage the same when the lid is raised at a different speed.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with the lid and tray of a trunk, of a hook pivoted to one of said elements, a member carried by the other and adapted to be engaged by said hook to lift the tray, said hook being provided with an extension to cause the hook to swing clear of the said member when the trunk lid is raised at one speed and to engage the same en. th id is r se at another sPQ P L 45-. In a de i f h cha c d rib 2116. Combination with the lid and tray of a trunk, of a hook pivoted to one of said elements, 3 member carried by the other and adapted to be engaged by said hook to lift the, tray, said hook being provided with an inclined portion to cause'the hook to swing clear of the said member when the trunk lid is raised at one speed and to engage the same when the lid is raised at another speed.

CHAS. A. WELLS. Witnesses:

Q- Yosr, WV. J. SMITH. 

